DIY sundress to kimono

Once upon a time there was a person who had no life. So they decided to change a perfectly good but styleless sundress into something else!

As I attacked it with scissors, the idea came to me to cut just below the armholes and cut it square, with the bodice cut in two becoming the sleeves. They were even hemmed!

So here it is lying on the floor before being sewn.

The shoulder ties were attached to the waist and tied at the back, or even wrapped and tied at the front (see photo near bottom of post)I added a buttonhole under one arm to allow the tie to come through. I left the front neck square, so I could pin it up with a brooch or fold it down diagonally for a V-neck.

Here I have styled it with a black belt, thrifted jeans and thrifted black boots.

It also can be worn open over shorts, although the ties are pretty long and get in the way, so I crocheted them with my fingers to shorten them (does that make sense?)

I also wanted to show you my very favouritest thrifted booties. Over $300 new, and I found them for $7! Leather lined and all. I do have to learn to walk in them, as these are high heels for me!!!

(Sorry about blinding you with my white skin. You would never know I'd just come through Summer :)

My jewellery is mostly thrifted although I seem to have cut off the bracelet. My other favourite find has been this greenstone (jade) ring.

Reminds me of NZ where it would be rather more than I paid at $2.50!

So here we are again, before and after. I think it will be more useful now, and I do love the colour!

What do you think? Is it an improvement or just a difference?

'Til next time, keep on creating and showing your wonderfulness to the world!

Love

Jazzy Jack

By the way I've been trying out Disqus because I want to be able to comment directly to you. I am enjoying it. But some have said they've had problems getting on. If you're having problems commenting please email me at naturalmedley43@gmail.com and let me know! Thanks.

A Way improvement! It's modernized now and how could you not keep that and restyle it? The fabric is gorgeous. My favorite items in this post are the amazing boots which I would wear every day if I could...and that jade ring! My mother bought me one like that years and years ago and I still wish I had it. I think I dropped it and it broke.I need to do some sewing again one of these days. I love kimonos!

Fantastic upcycle! I love how you've had the vision to turn a sundress into a unique piece that looks so good on you. And I love your new booties. Good luck with those heels! Seven bucks, doesn't that make you feel great?

A successful refashion is surely judged by whether you will wear it more after than before - and you're wearing it well! I agree, the colours and print are too good for you not to wear. And the boots are fab too. xxx

It is REALLY YOUR COLOUR!!!!! It will be able to be used much more the old style...you look great in it. Beautiful boots too....Have fun learning to walk in them or wearing them when you sit a lot!!!! D&M xxxx

Oh, this is just awesome! Definitely an improvement! And in your description it sounds so easy to do! The print and colour of that old dress were indeed beautiful and what a pity it would be just to waste it. The newly-born kimono looks fantastic and can be worn in so many variants. Bravo!

Oh wow, the thrifted booties are so special! I love them! You consider this a high heel? Good Lord! :D The kimono you made is awesome! Kimonos are my weakness, I love everything Japanese related! <3Wait till you see my white sexy skin with blue veins and everything, so hot!!!

What a great job. I love your vision and am always impressed with what you see in these not quite right garments. The final version is so much better than what it was. Your jewelry is really pretty too and I love the booties. If I say I am a booty girl I do not mean I like bums. I don't know how I missed this post when it first came out. I always think I am caught up and then I see something you posted and it says 2 days ago and I wonder how I lost two days. xoxoxo

Oh I swoon, white skin WITH blue veins? Don't tempt me!I've worn flats for so long I feel like I'm walking on a block of wood...which I suppose I am sort of!I need to see your kimonos! Do you have some? Show me! Now! xo Jazzy Jack

I know, these inconsiderate bloggers who keep posting just when you think you are caught up! My finishing gene gets so aggro!I know you love boots too! I love yours! In fact am jealous of yours!!Been trying to treat myself to some boots with birthday money, and can't find any to fit my wide front foot, narrow heel, skinny calf, flat heels requirements! I can't spend my money. It's burning a hole in my pocket. I want some dressup ones like riding boots. But will probably have to get lace up ones again. I already have those :-/Still, not a bad problem to have! xo Jazzy Jack

You are inspiring! Some day I'll take scissors in my hands, and then oi! Who know what'll happen! Yes, Natasha is a diminutive of Natalia - sounds less formal and maybe a little more tender for my Russian ear.

I really like the colours of the top you made. To be honest, femme that I am, I think I would have worn it as a dress; all those gathers at the top would have made for an even bustier me and that would be fun. But what you did makes perfect sense for you. I especially like your rings.

Thanks! Yes, the colours are the standout. The rest is just packaging. Yes, I see what you mean. That dress would suit you.Having another health scare at the moment and waiting six weeks for results! So holding on to my tree of life ring to help me focus on the positive and take a day at a time.

LOL-I have a bit of an odd foot too so am sometimes goot challenged. I have a normal width toe area but narrow heel, thick ankle and high arch. Oddly I sometimes cannot get a pull on flat boot onto my foot. A shoe store person told me it was due to the high arched foot not bent the right way to go down the boot shaft and then into the foot part or something like that. A bit of a heel and/or a boot that can be undone via zipper or laces is usually my best bet. Good luck finding that just right pair of boots!

I only just saw this. I seldom know what discus is up to. I hope your health scare turns out to be only a scare. In my roughest times, I too grab hold of certain pieces of symbolic jewelry to help me out. I actually even got a tattoo to serve as permanent "jewelry."

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About Moi

I am an unschooling Mum of two boys 12 and 15. I adore creating anything from painting, to poetry, to singing, to sewing and decorating. I can be quiet until I know you, and then loud! I like to philosophise about life, and shop secondhand and handmade wherever and whenever possible. I want to use this blog to highlight my art, and to explore topics that are close to me, including family unschooling adventures.This will all unfold as we go along. I hope you will come along for the journey! Jazzy Jack